It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. 1Corinthians 15:2 – NLT
The Scripture above is a warning to all of us that we must make sure that what we believe is the Good News, also known as gospel. For it is by this Good News we are saved IF we continue with the true message.
But what if you are believing something that was never true in the first place.
2 Corinthians 11:4 teaches us: You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.
The way NOT to be deceived is to allow God to teach you, by his Word and by his Holy Spirit. That means, you must read the Word of God for yourself.
One of the biggest deceptions we continue to see in the churches today is: #1 You don’t have to be water baptized to be saved. #2 You received the Holy Spirit when you believe.
Is that what the Word of God says, or were you told that from a preacher?
Let’s first look at what God teaches us, from his Word, about water baptism.
Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16
Throughout the entire books of Acts people believed and were water baptized. Read it for yourself.
Even Jesus was was baptized.
Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. Matthew 3:13-15
Water baptism is what God requires. The Good News is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
We are also to do what God requires for salvation. This is not works – this is obedience. We are to apply the gospel to our lives. Death [repentance], Burial [water baptism] and Resurrection [baptism of the Holy Spirit].
Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:2-4
Next week we will discuss the deception of point #2 above.
“Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Acts 2:38-39
Believe and be baptized!!
